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MATTA Fair welcomes Tourism Philippines

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 28 February 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) confirms Tourism Philippines is returning as the gold sponsor of the MATTA Fair from 17 to 19 March 2023 hosted at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.

Tourism Philippines has booked 12 booths in the MITEC International Halls (Level 3) to promote and sell tour packages exclusively targeting travel consumers attending the fair.

Malaysia remains one of the top 10 markets for the Philippines, with 139,882 visitors recorded in 2019. This year, MATTA Fair aims to entice 200,000 Malaysian to visit the Philippines, which will strengthen the country’s tourism economy to its pre-pandemic level.

MATTA recognises the Tourism Philippines as a strong partner in reinvigorating the travel industry and opens up a new chapter between the two nations’ trade relations.

Admission is free to MATTA Fair, billed as Southeast Asia’s biggest consumer travel show. The show will be open from 1000 to 2100, 17 to 19 March. A shuttle transfer service will operate during the opening hours from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall to MITEC

Visit the MATTA Fair’s website and social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or subscribe to MATTA’s new Telegram channels @MATTAHQ to obtain information updates.

Trip.com slashes holiday costs

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 28 February 2023: Trip.com is launching its 3.3 Super Saver Sale (“Sale”) running from 28 February 2023 to 3 March 2023, giving users access to deals for hotels, flights, tours and attraction tickets across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Australia.

Daily flash deals released at four-time slots – 1200, 1500, 1800 and 2100 – will run for a limited time only and on a first-come-first-serve basis so be sure to mark your calendars!

Users can expect up to 50% off hotel deals, with rates going as low as MYR33 a night at hotels in Malaysia or hotels in neighbouring Indonesia and Thailand.

Participating airlines are offering up to 30% off fares. Airlines include Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, MY Airline, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and STARLUX Airlines. Users can also enjoy an extra MYR100 off with promo codes on selected airfare promotions.

Tours and tickets for selected attractions at up to 30% off are also available, and users can get an extra MYR10 off with promo codes.

Promo codes for discounts up to MYR100 are released daily at 1000 and 1700 and will be up for grabs on a limited basis. Secret promo codes are also available through the Trip.com Telegram group (https://t.me/TriptalksMY).

(English) https://my.trip.com/w/sss-tg or (Bahasa Malaysia) https://my.trip.com/w/sssms-tg

THAI narrows deficit but Thai Smile losses mount

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 28 February 2023: Thai Airways International and its subsidiaries reported a net loss of THB252 million or THB0.12 per share in its operational performance results for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The deficit was mainly due to Thai Smile Airways’ operating loss of THB4,248 million in 2022.

The national airline announced it intends to merge THAI Smile with THAI to cut losses. That could result in regional and domestic flights returning to the parent airline, possibly by the start of the fiscal year 2024.

For the year ended 31 December 2022, THAI reported the total revenue, excluding one-time transactions of THB97,514 million, higher than that in 2022 by 341%, mainly due to a significant increase in passenger and cargo revenue. 

Total expenses, excluding one-time transactions, amounted to THB86,307 million baht, which was 127% higher than the previous year, mainly due to variable expenses of fuel price, which escalated to the highest rate in years and cost of transportation service as a result of higher production. 

The operating profit (EBIT) was THB11,207 million, higher than last year, which reported an operating loss of THB15,906 million.  EBITDA after deducting aircraft lease payments was a profit of THB19,689 million, higher than the projection in the Rehabilitation plan.  If the company’s EBITDA, after the aircraft lease payment deduction, is higher than THB20,000 million within twelve months, THAI’s operation under the Rehabilitation Plan can be terminated.

However, such loss was better than the projection in the Rehabilitation Plan.  Profit per share in 2021 was 25.25 baht.

As of 31 December 2022, the total assets of THAI and its subsidiaries stood at THB198,178 million baht, which increased by 22.9% compared to the figure as of 31 December 2021. 

The total liabilities stood at THB 269,202 million, an increase of 16%.  Shareholders’ equity of THAI and its subsidiaries amounted to THB -71,024 million, a decrease of THB227 million, while the shareholders’ equity of THAI was THB -63,493 million, which is a decrease of THB3,165 million compared to the figure as of 31 December 2021.

Cash and cash equivalent totalled THB34,540 million, an increase of THB29,025 million mainly due to the company’s business operation.

Available Seat km (ASK) were 243% higher than last year, and  Revenue Passenger km (RPK) were 1,118% higher than last year.  Cabin Factor averaged 67.9%, higher than 19.1% last year.  The total number of passengers was 9.01 million, higher than the previous year by 449%.  Available Dead Load Ton-km (ADTK) was 249% higher than the previous year. 

In the Summer Programme 2023, THAI will operate flights to 39 destinations worldwide with increases in flight frequencies in intercontinental and regional routes such as Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kolkata and Mumbai. 

THAI will also resume flight services to destinations in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, Chengdu and Guangzhou, in response to continually rising travel demand. 

Meet the Winemaker on NCL cruises

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 February 2023: Norwegian Cruise Line announces an exciting lineup of its popular Meet the Winemaker series, the one-of-a-kind programme featuring renowned winemakers and culinary experts who share their knowledge with an intimate group of guests on board NCL’s newest ships.

The Meet the Winemaker series provides wine enthusiasts and foodies of all skill levels with an exclusive opportunity to engage with winemakers and connoisseurs through enriching seminars and activities. The immersive programming offers guests intimate wine tastings, wine-paired dinners, interactive culinary demonstrations and meet-and-greets on board. Guests can also purchase wines on board that are otherwise only available by visiting the wineries directly.

“Our Meet the Winemaker series is back and better than ever,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Every year, we aim to elevate this exclusive experience, and I believe we’ve done just that as we enter the programme’s seventh year with an impressive guest lineup. These unique sailings offer a rare opportunity to get one-on-one exposure to esteemed winemakers and their collection of wines, all while visiting multiple destinations and enjoying an unforgettable vacation.”

A new and noteworthy addition to this year’s series includes special guest Emma Walker. Walker, a Master Blender at Johnnie Walker, the highest rank in whisky craftsmanship, has spent over a decade perfecting whisky production, maturation, and blending processes. She leads the Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist team based in Menstrie, Scotland, where she has access to more than ten million casks of maturing Scotch whisky. She will join the 17 September 2023 sailing on NCL’s award-winning new ship, Norwegian Prima, in Northern Europe for NCL’s first-ever Johnnie Walker cruise, where guests can learn the brand history and savour the wide range of aged whiskeys. 

Also new to the programme is Chef Ashley Breneman, who began her career studying at Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute and has worked for numerous celebrity chefs, including Gordon Ramsay on the hit show “Master Chef.” Now, she serves as the Executive Chef at Certified Angus Beef, one of the top meat brands in the country. She will join returning winemaker Antonio Hidalgo for the 9 July 2023 sailing aboard Norwegian Encore to Alaska to add a culinary component to the Meet the Winemaker experience.

Fourth-generation winemaker Miguel Torres, who pioneered planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Spain, creating ‘Mas la Plana’ in 1970, will also debut in the culinary programme aboard Norwegian Encore’s 9 April 2023 Eastern Caribbean voyage. The Miguel Torres Chile family winery has a presence in over 100 countries. Over the past 30 years, it has established itself as one of the main producers of high-quality wines and is committed to environmental and social responsibility.

Returning fan-favourite hosts include celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez; world-class winemaker and member of the historic fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo; Napa Valley icon Michael Mondavi of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate; and “The Drinks Business” Master Winemaker of the Year 2023 recipient Gérard Bertrand, among others.

Guests can savour unique culinary experiences sponsored by the Certified Angus Beef® brand on board the cruises to Alaska. With each course paired with wine, they will learn from a master sommelier while enjoying some of the best beef available. NCL proudly serves the Certified Angus Beef® brand at Cagney’s Steakhouses across the fleet.

The complete 2023 Meet the Winemaker series lineup includes:

*Guests will can partake in a special wine-paired dinner featuring Certified Angus Beef.

For more information on Meet the Winemakers, please visit here.

(Your Stories: NCL)

Tawau is more than a pass-by place

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TTR WEEKLY
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TAWAU Sabah, 27 February 2023: A well-thought-out strategy is required to promote Tawau as a must-see destination on the east coast of Sabah, said state Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

Joniston emphasised Tawau has a significant amount of untapped tourism potential, and it should not merely serve as a passing point for tourists who typically fly to Tawau to visit Semporna.

“I must say that whenever we attend (tourism) roadshow, there always seems to be a great deal of interest in Semporna, while Tawau is overlooked.

“Hence, Tawau needs to expand its attractions, and we need to design a strategic plan to encourage tourists to stay and discover all that Tawau has to offer,” he said.

Joniston, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), said this after visiting the Batu Bersusun attraction and Tagal Kampung Balung Cocos here on Friday.

He was accompanied by Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Mary Malangking; STB deputy chief executive officer Julinus Jimit; and Federation of Rural Tourism Association Sabah (FeRTAS) president Walter Kandayon, who is also a board member of STB.

Joniston was on an official work visit for a tourism products update and to inspect facilities improvement funded by the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (KePKAS) under its Rural Tourism Development Programme.

In addition, he was also briefed on Tawau’s potential to develop its community-based tourism (CoBT) based on a study conducted by Tawau Polytechnic.

The Tawau Polytechnic director Dr Hajah Nor Haniza B Mohamad briefed that they identified Kampung Tinagat, Kampung Batu Payung, and Kampung Membalua as potential villages for CoBT.

She stated that the villagers in these places have indicated that they are ready to promote their particular village as a tourism attraction, adding that the residents strongly agreed that tourism would boost their source of income.

“We are ready to support (KePKAS and STB), especially on training and to develop CoBT in Tawau,” she said.

On this note, Joniston encouraged Tawau Polytechnic and relevant quarters to engage with FeRTAS and to learn from the success stories of established CoBT.

Also present were Tawau Municipal Council engineer Mohd Ikhsan Wahap; Tawau Tourism Association chairperson Hazlina Ismail; Tagal Kampung Balung Cocos chairman Rasid Medical; and Kampung Balung Cocos chief Takun Austin, among others.

https://www.sabahtourism.com/

Qatar Airways soups up motorsport sponsorships

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 27 February 2023: Qatar Airways is now the global partner and official airline of Formula 1 through to the 2027 season and title sponsor for both Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix and Qatar MotoGP.

As part of the global partnership, Qatar Airways will be the Title Sponsor of three Grands Prix™ this year: The Qatar Airways Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (19-21 May), the Qatar Airways Hungarian Grand Prix (21-23 July), and the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix (6-8 October).

This season, Formula 1 boasts its most global racing calendar to date with 23 races across 21 countries and five continents, mirroring the motorsport’s rapidly growing footprint worldwide and the extensive global connectivity offered by the Qatar Airways oneworld Alliance, which serves over 150 countries.

In addition to the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023, the Lusail International Circuit will host the Qatar Moto GP on 17-19 November. Other motorsport events in Qatar include the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar in October 2023 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) World Endurance Championship in 2024.

To celebrate the extended partnership, Discover Qatar, the airline’s destination management company, is offering tickets to the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023.

Discover Qatar has launched a range of hotel and ticket-inclusive packages to global retail partners, which include Grandstand and prestigious Paddock Club tickets. All packages include a free entry pass to the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar in Doha from 5 to 14 October, courtesy of Qatar Tourism.

Qatar Airways Holidays’ all-inclusive travel packages allow global fans worldwide to attend the event and partake in exclusive experiences such as pit lane walks, guided track tours and access to special events with appearances by top F1 drivers. The Ultimate F1 Experience packages include return flights with Qatar Airways, premium hotel options, race tickets and other exciting experiences and benefits. 

Jetstar tests flights Changi T4

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 February 2023: Ahead of Jetstar Asia’s relocation to Terminal 4 on 22 March 2023, the airline operated two orientation flights from T4 last week.

The orientation flights saw 300 passengers experience the end-to-end operations process, including check-in, baggage drop and immigration clearance.

Customers were notified by email and SMS that they were among the first Jetstar passengers to fly in and out of Changi Airport’s T4 before the official move.

Jetstar Asia Head of Flight Operations, Geof Lui commented: “These operational trials are critical for Jetstar Asia, Changi Airport Group and our partners to ensure the kiosks, baggage- and cargo-handling systems are ready for use.

“In the coming weeks, a second orientation flight will be conducted to ensure our crew and teams are trained to manage the terminal move from day one.”

Jetstar Asia will initially operate more than 200 weekly services in and out of T4, to and from key destinations in Southeast Asia, including Bali (Denpasar), Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Phnom Penh.

It will also operate from T4 and continue to fly between Singapore and Melbourne up to six times a week, with the popular route being operated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying more than 200,000 passengers each year between the two cities.

The airline operates services to 11 destinations in Southeast Asia and Australia.

Direct flight to Danang coming soon

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TTR WEEKLY
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VIENTIANE, 27 February 2023: Lao Airlines’ Facebook page teases us with an invitation to fly the Vientiane -Danang route but fails to even hint at the launch dates on its Facebook page.

Laotian Times narrowed down the options saying the airline will “resume direct flights from Vientiane to the coastal city of Danang, Vietnam, in March this year.”

Photo Credit Lao Airlines Facebook page

But the best Lao Airlines could conjure up was a “coming soon” post reminiscent of the blockbuster movie tagline “to a cinema near you”.

The closest we can come to identifying a possible launch date for what Laotian Times says will be a twice-weekly service on Thursday and Sunday is a Travel Agents Facebook group Facebook post plugging a 30 March startup date. Travellers wait with bated breath for the airline to post a follow-up to the Facebook teaser that generated hundreds of responses on the airline’s Facebook page. Not one asked when the flight would start.

The Laotian Times’ report confirms the flight will depart Vientiane at 1100 for Danang and arrive at 1215. The return flight from Danang departs at 1300 and arrives in Vientiane at 1415. The estimated fare is USD260 for the one-hour and 15-minute flight. The airline will use a 70-seat ATR72-600 aircraft on the direct route.

Just two days before March arrives, a check of the Lao Airlines website fails to deliver a booking option for the Vientiane -Danang route. You can enter the cities in the blank spaces from drop-down menus without success. Not even a hint of a fare option or dates that might fire up a slew of advance bookings. Online travel agencies and booking sites such as Skyscanner are not loading any direct flight options between Vientiane and Danang, whatever the airline. The service may be coming soon, but Lao Airlines is in no hurry to activate the advance booking switch or tell OTAs they can sell now a direct from Vientiane to Danang.

MATTA: Thanks but hope for more

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 27 February 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) thanks the government for what it sees as a progressive budget and for the MYR250 million allocations, but the association had hoped for more.

The powerful national travel agency association continues calling for a “more tourism-friendly budget” with better incentives and funding specifically designed to help industry stakeholders face global uncertainty and lower global economic growth and inflationary pressures.

MATTA also expressed concern that the funding of MYR250 million for Visit Malaysia Year 2025 (VMY2025) was inadequate considering the government’s target of achieving 23.5 million tourist arrivals and tourism receipts of MYR76.8 billion.

“Funding for VMY2014 was MYR358 million back when the USD exchange rate was 3.3 to the Malaysian Ringgit compared to the current 4.43. This simply means that costs have increased significantly, and a bigger budget is needed,” said MATTA President Tan Kok Liang.

During VMY 2014, Malaysia recorded 27.44 million tourist arrivals.

“It is also crucial to cushion the gap between now and 2025. To sustain tourism operations, we hope that further stimuli will be introduced along the way so that industry stakeholders can effectively do their part to meet our national tourism targets.”

The budget proposals made by MATTA included the following:

  • Double deductions for corporate companies to hold incentive trips and business events in Malaysia and attractive tax relief for individuals to encourage them to travel domestically for holidays.
  • Excise duty exemption of locally produced vehicles to help stakeholders replenish and upgrade tourism vehicle fleets to cater to the expected increase in inbound traffic.
  • A special Tourism Recovery & Growth Fund to help industry stakeholders rebuild and upgrade their service infrastructure to meet an expected rise in traffic from high-yield market segments.

“The budget may need improvements with special emphasis and incentives on tourism products and infrastructure to ensure that the Malaysian tourism industry retains its cutting edge in the long term,” he added.

“We look forward to engaging with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on the mechanisms of the matching grant, which is much needed to help tourism operators with overseas promotions. The distribution of the grants needs to be done quickly, efficiently and effectively so that we do not miss any windows of opportunity,” concluded Tan.

PATA farewells first female CEO

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 27 February 2023: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announces the resignation of Liz Ortiguera as its chief executive officer with immediate effect.

PATA releases the news just days before its chairman and leading board members travel to ITB Berlin to reinstate the association’s presence at the annual trade show after more than a two-year pause.

Speculation surfaced in January regarding the business relationship between PATA and its first female CEO, suggesting a parting of ways was being discussed. Both parties declined to comment, saying an announcement would be made shortly.

She has worked for the association for one year and 10 months of a three-year contract signed with the US-registered non-profit organisation in May 2021.

Regarding the resignation notification, PATA vice chair Benjamin Liao said: “Liz served PATA with distinction as the first Asian female CEO* in the organisation’s 72-year history. On behalf of PATA, I would like to thank her for her leadership of the association during a difficult period for the industry.

“We recognise her many accomplishments as PATA CEO, including new agreements with the Singapore Tourism Board, the Saudi Tourism Authority and Trip.com, and the expanded partnerships with Visa, MasterCard, and Airbnb.

“New projects included PATA’s first Annual Summit in the Middle East, the PATA-Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) APAC Travel Summit, PATA-World Bank Government Recovery Insights Forum Series, the Tourism Destination Resilience Program launch and the ongoing Weekly Asia-Pacific Destination Recovery Dashboard.”

Commenting on her tenure at PATA, Ortiguera said: “It was a true honour to have served as PATA’s CEO. I am confident that PATA, with its diverse member base of industry leaders, can continue to support and lead our industry’s recovery and growth. PATA is even more critical as a business community today to support new partnerships, innovation, and adopting sustainable business practices.

“I am handing back the reins with thanks to PATA Members for the opportunity to lead at this critical time of global industry recovery. I had the opportunity to work with some deeply committed, hard-working and talented individuals within the PATA team and our valued members and partners. They embody the heart and the spirit of what PATA could be in everything they do,” Ortiguera added.

In response to Ortiguera’s departure, PATA chair Peter Semone stated:  “the Executive Board has established five Expert Task Forces or ETFs to review critical elements of PATA’s development strategy, including Brand and Voice, Events, Membership Engagement, Organisational Design and Digital Readiness. The recommendations of these ETFs will help define PATA’s new direction strategically and operationally.”

He didn’t elaborate on the timetable set for recruiting a new CEO. Based on past procedures, the association is expected to make public its recruitment requirements and identify a committee assigned to shortlist candidates for the association’s executive board.

However, he did say the top priority was to conduct a “thorough internal evaluation of our direction and leadership needs,” which could delay the CEO recruitment timeframe. “I suspect the second half of 2023,” the chairman concluded.

Fact check

*Liz Ortiguera was the first female CEO at PATA. However, there have been at least two Asian females appointed as vice presidents in the organisation. Ortiguera is a US national with a Philippines heritage.

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